Abstract

The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, I investigated speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perceptions of accent modification services for adult speakers. Second, I examined college students’ perceptions of accents. In addition, I explored how participants’ perceptions may differ contingent upon exposure to and interaction to diverse speakers. I collected data through means of two electronic surveys. I distributed two electronic surveys - one to practicing and former SLPs who provide or provided accent modification services, and another to students at The College of Wooster. I drew four major conclusions. First, SLPs’ perceptions of accent modification services are generally favorable. Second, students have generally favorable perceptions of accents. The third finding revealed that both SLPs and students have a high level of alignment on questions reading their perceptions of accents. The fourth conclusion is students with high neighborhood exposure had a higher level of agreement concerning statements regarding accents relative to students with low neighborhood exposure.

Advisor

Furey, Joan

Department

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Disciplines

First and Second Language Acquisition

Keywords

accent, dialect, speech-language pathologists (SLP), accent modification, discrimination, perception

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2023 Samantha Burke